Proportioning device



2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEYS June 7, 1966 H. H. PUTHUFF PROPORTIONING DEVICE Filed Feb. 17. 1965 EM N K 9 in m, 05 N IJ I| NW HQLW T m m1 "MW m w wh 1u w w .Q Q 3w M m w P W MW ml H r|] Y m Mm H 7/), MAM

June 7, 1966 H. H. PUTHUFF PROPORTIONING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 17 1965 INVENTOR. HARLEY H. PUTHUFF WWW A TTORNEYS United States Patent 3,254,414 PROPORTIONING DEVICE Harley H. Puthuif, 2203 Cheyenne Drive, Santa Rosa, Calif.

Filed Feb. 17, 1965, Ser. No. 438,170 9 Claims. (Cl. 33-137) This invention relates to proportioning devices. More particularly, it relates to a variable device for proportioning a selected distance into a preselected number of smaller distances. This invention is a continuation-inpart of copending application Serial No. 230,872,.filed of the elastic strip. A releasable locking means is also provided for fixing the position of the arms at a selected outwardly stretched position.

Perhaps the most outsanding feature and advantage of the present device lies in its capability of being used for proportioning' relatively large distances while having a relatively small bulk, particularly with respect to the bracket. The device is versatile in that it is equally well usable for proportioning small distances as well as the larger ones by virtue of the manner of placement of the indicia on the elastic strip;

Further refinements and features of the present device relate to the construction of the locking means -for fixing the position of the arms at a selected outwardly stretched position. In the preferred embodiment the locking means employed is of a straight-forward and simple construction characterized by ease of operation and potentially high longevity. Specifically, in the preferred embodiment the locking means comprises a tab having holes through which each of the arms is freely passed. It further in- .cludes a spring adjacent one arm for biasing the tab into frictional engagement with the arms, and means to retain the tab in position on the arms for cooperation with said spring.

A further feature of the present invention lies in the scales which may be disposed on the elastic strip. This feature is especially useful when the device is used for 'dividing a distance between two points into a selected number of equidistant points so that, for example, buttons may be attached to a garment at the indicated points. In this aspect of the present invention, indicia comprising a plurality of sets of'dilferent equispaced marks are disposed along the elastic strip. Each set of marks includes a numerical figure adjacent to each mark in the set equal to the number of marks in the set. By using such a combination, after the choice of the desired number of points into which a distance is to be divided is made, it is possible to directly visually isolate the points by reference to the appropriate marks and numerals on the elastic strip.

Where it is desired to delineate a plurality of smaller spaces from a larger space (in contrast to dividing the distance between two points with additional points and in- .dicating the total number of points), it is contemplatedv that each set of marks disposed on the elastic strip will have a numerical figure associated therewith equal to the number of spaces in the set. In this way the device may be used to set off spaces in laying out a sign, for example, preparatory to placing letters or the like on the sign.

Patented June 7, 1966 Fee As noted above, the present device permits the proportioning of relatively large distances while requiring a relatively compact bracket. It-is also to be noted that proportioning of distances smaller than even the compressed size of the bracket is feasible. To do this, it is preferredto dispose, for example, two sets of indicia on one side of the elastic strip wherein the two sets are sequentially positioned longitudinally therealong and each set of indicia is of a different overall length. These sequentially disposed sets of indicia are adapted to the proportioning of smaller distances than might otherwise be conveniently accomplished with a set of indicia spaced along the entire length of the elastic strip.

In the accompanying drawings there is shown in FIG. 1 in side elevation, the proportioning device of the present invention with the bracket and elastic strip in contracted position.

FIG. 2 shows the device of FIG. 1 in side elevation with the bracket and elastic strip in expanded position.

FIG. 3 shows an alternate embodiment wherein two sets of indicia are positioned sequentially longitudinally alon the elastic strip.

FIG. 4 shows in perspective the portion of the bracket in the vicinity of the lock with the lock in its normal or closed position.

FIG. 5 shows in perspective the position of the bracket in the vicinity of the lock in an alternate embodiment.

FIG. 6a-6c shows in perspective the steps for assembling the bracket of the alternate embodiment of FIG- URE 5.

More specifically, there is shown in the drawings an elastic strip or band 10 which may be made from any stretchable, flexible material provided the material substantially uniformly expands equally at allpoints therealong when pulled by its outer ends 11 and 12. Outer ends 11 and 12 are in turn suitably attached to an expanding bracket shown generally at 13. Expanding bracket 13 comprises a pair of arms 14, 15. Arm 14 is bent at one end 16 and terminates in a guide 17 having a hole 18 therethrough. Arm 15 similarly terminates in a bend 19 at one end thereof having a guide 20 with a hole 21 therethrough. Arm 14 is inserted for slidable movement through hole 21 of guide 20 whereas arm 15 is inserted through hole 18 of guide 17 for slidable movement therethrough. Consequently, the arms 14 and 15 are slidable longitudinally inwardly and outwardly from each other through the guides 17 and 20.

The other end 22 of arm 14 opposite from end 16 is bent parallel to end 16. Similarly, the other end 23 of arm 15 opposite from bend 19 is bent parallel to bend 19.

End 11 of elastic strip 10 is turned back and joined to itself at 24 by any suitable means such as stitching or an adhesive to form a loop 25. End 12 of elastic strip 10 is similarly folded back upon itself at 26 and joined to itself to form loop 27.

End 22 of arm 14 is inserted through loop 27 while end 23 of arm 15 is inserted through loop 25 to cooperatively attach strip 10 to bracket 13. It should be obvious that any other means for attaching strip 10 to bracket 13 could be used and may eliminate the use of loops 25 and 27.

When arms 14 and 15 are expanded longitudinally outwardly from each other while mutually guiding eachother, elastic strip 10 is uniformly expanded as illustrated in FIG. 2. Arms 14 and 15 may be expanded to any selected outward position and are fixed there by the lock shown generally at 28 when in its normal or looking position as illustrated in FIG. 4.

Lock 28 comprises a tab 29 with a release portion 30 joined thereto. Tab 29 defines a pair of holes 31, 32 therethrough through which.arms 14 and 15 may pass freely. A spring 33 compressed between guide 17 and snag r14.

tab 29 normally urges tab 29 outwardly adjacent hole 32. When tab 29 is urged outwardly, the tab is placed in the inclined position shown in FIG. 4. In this position the edges of tab 29 defining holes 31 and 32 frictionally engage the surface of arms 14 and 15 respectively, and fix the arms in position. A pin 29:: projecting from arm 14 serves to prevent tab 29 from being shifted towards guide 20 when tab 29 is biased by spring 33 and otherwise re tains tab 29 in the proper position on arms 14 and 15 for cooperation with spring 33.

Lock 28 is released by placing downward pressure on release 30 so that tab 29 is positioned in an upright position as in FIGS. 1 and 2 thereby disengaging the frictional contact between the surfaces defining holes 31 and 32 and arms 14 and 15. Arms 14 and 15 are then permitted to pass freely through holes 31 and 32 to permit the expansion or contraction of bracket 13 to a new desired position. When the new position is attained, the downward pressure on release 30 is removed and spring 33 once again biases tab 29 into locking position as in FIG. 4.

It should be noted that because of the direction of slope of tab 29 it is possible to outwardly expand the arms 14 and 15 without releasing lock 28 while tension from elastic strip 10 prevents expansion at an undesired time. However, it is always necessary to release lock 28 before contracting the arms.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, a plurality of sets of equispaced numbers 34 are printed adjacent to a plurality of lines 35. The numbers 34 are equal to the number of lines 35 in its set. Thus the number 4 on lines 35 indicates that there are four equispaced lines 360, b, c, d in its set. (Note that lines 36a and d participate in all of the sets of lines and are therefore not numbered.) When the bracket shown in FIG. 1 is expanded to the position shown in FIG. 2, elastic strip 10 is expanded and thereby lines 36a, 12, c, d are spaced further apart than in FIG. 1. However, because of the uniform expansion of strip 16 they are still equidistantly spaced.

As an illustration of the utility of the device, arms 14 and 15 may be suitably moved longitudinally outwardly from each other until lines 36a and d are adjacent the positions where the two end buttons of a series of four buttons are to be sewn on a garment. Lines 36b and would then indicate the positions for the remaining two buttons. If five buttons are to be sewn, lines 36a, 36d, and the lines having a thereon would be used instead. The other numbers and lines are used similarly.

It should be obvious that the lines such as 36a, b, c, d of a set need not be equidistantly spaced where it is desired to position items or proportion distances into other than equal quantities or positions.

As an aid in isolating all of the numbers in a given set, it is contemplated that all of the numbers in that particular set will be printed in a particular color, and preferably where all of the numbers of one set are in a common plane. By using different colors for each of the sets, each particular set will be readily visually isolated.

FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment particularly adapted for the proportioning of distances smaller than the overall length of strip 10. Thus the scale positioned between lines 37a and 37b is particularly adapted for expansion over relatively small distances whereas the scale positioned between lines 3712 and 37c is suitably used for proportioning still larger intermediate distances. The scale shown in FIG. 3 may be placed on the reverse side of strip shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 if desired.

Where the device is to be used to set off a selected number of spaces between two points instead of indicating the number of points, the numbers 34 on strip 10 in FIGS. 13 are reduced by one unit respectively. For example, the number 4 in the set including lines 36a, 36b, 36c and 36a would read 3 to indicate the three spaces between 36a and 36d.

As an alternative to the construction illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5-6 may be utilized. In this embodiment the arms of the bracket, arms 40 and 41, are constructed with a rectangular cross section. Bent ends 42 and 43 are twisted with respect to the main portions or remainder of their arms 40 and 41 respectively. Bent end 42 has a rectangularslot 44 cut therein while bent end 43 is bent backwardly upon itself to form a hook-like configuration and is bifurcated at its terminus as indicated at 45.

The locking portion (see FIG. 5) of this embodiment is similar to that shown in FIGS. 1 through 4 in that a tab 46 contains a rectangular slot 46a therethrough and is slidably inserted around arm 40. Tab 46 has a finger 47 extending outwardly therefrom which is inserted through a hole 48a in the adjacent portion of arm 41. This embodiment also includes a spring 48 which is placed around arm 40.

These modifications of the construction permit easy assembly as is best seen in FIGS. 6a and 6b and 6c. Initially, tab 46 is slipped onto arm 40 as shown in FIG. 6a. Spring 48 is then slipped onto arm 40 and arm 41 is inserted through slot 44 in end 42 of arm 40. See FIG. 6b. The final step is illustrated in FIG. 60 wherein spring 48 is pushed up against tab 46 while finger 47 is inserted into hole 48 of arm 41. The bifurcated end 45 of arm 41 is inserted interiorly of spring 48 with arm 40 n'ding between the bifurcations 45. Thus, bifurcated end 45 serves to lock spring 48 in position while at the same time serving as a guide for arm 40. Slot 44 serves as a guide for arm 41 in the same manner. as the guides illustrated in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 4. The embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6 has the advantage of preventing twisting of arms 40 and 41 relative to each other due to their rectangular configuration.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6, a stretchable member is inserted on outward end 49 of arm 40 and outward end'50 of arm 41 as before. In both of the embodiments illustrated it is to be noted that the stretchable member is carried in a position substantially parallel to the pair of bracket arms. In this way, the tension of the stretchable member imparts forces to the bracket arms which contribute to the desired operation of the locking member.

Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be practiced within the spirit of the invention as limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A device for portioning a distance into a plurality of equal smaller distances comprising: an elongate member substantially uniformly stretchable throughout its length, indicia on said elongate member arranged in preselected positions, and a stretcher bracket for said elongate member comprising a pair of parallel arms, a first end of each arm bent for engagement with the other arm and formed to operate as a guide for the other of said arms,

said arms being slidable longitudinally outwardly from a each other, a second end of each arm formed for joining with the ends of said elongate member, said second ends extending transversely relative the remainder of the arms so that said elongate member is joined parallel to said arms, and releasable locking means attached at a fixed position to one of said parallel arms and spaced from its first end adapted for maintaining said arms at any selected outwardly stretched position.

2. A device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said indicia comprise a plurality of sets of differently equispaced marks along said elastic strip and wherein each set of marks includes a numerical figure adjacent to each mark in the set equal to the number of marks in the set.

3. A device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said indicia comprise a plurality of sets of differently equispaced marks along said elastic strip defining equal spaces between adjacent marks in each set and wherein each set has a numerical figure associated therewith equal to the number of spaces in' its set.

4. A device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said elastic strip includes two sets of indicia sequentially positioned longitudinally therealong and wherein said two sets of indicia are of different over-all lengths.

5. A device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said releasable locking means comprises a tab positioned around at least one of said arms with the arm being passable freely through the tab, a spring adjacent said one arm for biasing said tab into frictional engagement with said one arm, and means to retain the tab spaced at a substantially fixed location from said first end of the other arm.

6. A device in accordance with claim 1 wherein atleast one bent end defines a hole that serves as a guide for the other of said arms.

7. A device in accordance with claim 6 wherein one bent end is bifurcated.

8. A device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said parallel arms have a rectangular cross section, the first end of each arm being twisted and at least one twisted end defining a rectangular slot positioned to receive the other arm therethrough.

9. A variable proportioning device comprising: an elastic strip substantially uniformly stretchable throughout its length, at least one set of indicia spaced on said strip, and a stretcher bracket for said elastic strip comprising a pair of parallel arms each having a rectangular cross section, one end of each arm being twisted 90 with respect to the remainder of itself, at least one twisted end defining a rectangular slot and positioned to receive the other arm therethrough and serve as a guide therefor, said arms being slidable longitudinally outwardly from each other, the outward end of each arm being formed for engagement with the ends of said elastic strip, and releasable locking means for fixing the position of said arms at a selected outwardly stretched position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 120,621 11/1871 Chassaing 33-137 766,145 7/1904 Greer 24-243.12 1,223,833 4/1917 Robbins '287- 58 1,272,976 7/1918 McLucas 33--161 1,629,328 5/1927 Ware 33--158 1,643,166 9/1927 Martin 33-137 1,761,516 6/ 1930 Bushey 33203.Z 2,209,130 7/ 1940 Mueller 28758 2,308,817 1/1943 Leve 33-l 2,388,303 11/1945 Wise 33137 2,456,054 12/1948 Eberhardt 33137 2,476,427 7/ 1949 Melvin 287-58 2,512,184 6/1950 Suydam 33 137 2,575,077 11/1951 Snyder 33137 2,694,552 11/ 1954 Vadnais 28758 2,806,723 9/ 1957 Fairclough 248-355 2,823,743 2/1958 Isaac 39 3,018,122 1/1962 Frei 28758 3,051,518 8/1962 Meyer 28758 3,120,707 2/ 1964 Ewing 33137 ISAAC LISANN, Primary Examiner.

B. A. DONAHUE, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A DEVICE FOR PROTIONING A DISTANCE INTO A PLURALITY OF EQUAL SMALLER DISTANCES COMPRISING: AN ELONGATED MEMBER SUBSTANTIALLY UNIFORMLY STRETCHABLE THROUGHOUT ITS LENGTH, INDICIA ON SAID ELONGATE MEMBER ARRANGED IN PRESELECTED POSITIONS, AND A STRETCHER BRACKET FOR SAID ELONATE MEMBER COMPRISING A PAIR OF PARALLEL ARMS, A FIRST END OF EACH ARM BENT FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH THE OTHER ARM AND FORMED TO OPERATE AS A GUIDE FOR THE OTHER OF SAID ARMS, SAID ARMS BEING SLIDABLE LONGITUDINALLY OUTWARDLY FROM EACH OTHER, A SECOND END OF EACH ARM FORMED FOR JOINING WITH THE ENDS OF SAID ELONGATE MEMBER, SAID SECOND ENDS EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY RELATIVE THE REMAINDER OF THE ARMS SO THAT SAID ELONGATE MEMBER IS JOINED PARALLEL TO SAID ARMS, AND RELEASABLE LOCKING MEANS ATTACHED AT A FIXED POSITION TO ONE OF SAID PARALLEL ARMS AND SPACED FROM ITS FIRST END ADAPTED FOR MAINTAINING SAID ARMS AT ANY SELECTED OUTWARDLY STRETCHED POSITION. 